The major function of the Centre this year was to organise a submission to the ARC to fund a consortium of universities and industries to develop R&D toward second generation laser interferometer detectors of gravitational waves. Membership of the consortium, now referred to as the Australian Consortium for Interferometric Gravitational Astronomy, consists of The Australian National University, the University of Western Australia, the University of Adelaide, Monash University, the CSIRO and AWA Defence Industries, VIPAC Engineers and Scientists and Dynavac. It managed to secure A$1.25M over a three year period, about half the requested amount. Nevertheless, this will enable serious R&D toward gravitational wave detection to begin at the three universities in 1995. At the ANU, this centres on the construction of a 1m benchtop interferometer incorporating dual recycling and other optical configurations; analysing the control of such systems; and designing and testing modulation methods for efficient signal extraction.

In addition, it will allow a design study for both a 3 km and an advanced technology 400m instrument to be carried out. Professor Sandeman will continue as chairman and director of the consortium over the next three years.